Living Lakes Nature Camp

Sociedad Amigos del Lago de Chapala, A. C.,  as a member of the international Living Lakes network, was selected to host one of the six  Nature Camps held around the globe during the summer of 2004.  Nine volunteers from Germany, students and employees of Daimler Chrysler Corporation  worked with local volunteers for 18 days in August.  The young volunteers paid their own expenses to make the trip, while Daimler Chrysler and Lufthansa  supported the administrative costs for the Living Lakes/Global Nature Fund’s organization of the world-wide program.

GOALS OF THE PROJECT

1) The primary goal of this project was to establish the basis for a local eco/sustainable tourism industry by identifying and advertising the cultural, ecological, and historical significance of 16-18 sites around Lake Chapala. Amigos del Lago learned from other Living Lakes partners at the recent Iberoamerican Congress in Chapala that one of the most important activities to help preserve lakes is to support local eco/sustainable tourism projects.

2)  The second goal was to establish a positive working relationship with others around the lake so that we all can speak for the lake with a louder voice.  Partnerships were offered to all 11 municipalities around the lake—the municipalities would furnish the materials, Amigos del Lago would provide the coordination of the project and assume the administrative expenses, and the German volunteers would provide the labor.

3)  The third goal was to make an enduring statement regarding the “natural” level of the lake as supported by Amigos del Lago.  That level was to be marked at  20-21 sites around the lake with concrete pyramids and small signs.

RESULTS ANTICIPATED

1)  If the project succeeded, and then was expanded, it could provide jobs for local citizens in an industry that is “lake friendly,” rather than one which is harmful to the lake.

2)  Expanding the tourism industry here could help the local economies, especially the smaller towns.  All materials were developed in Spanish and English, making this area more attractive to visitors who do not speak Spanish.  Those visitors inject “new” money into the area.

3)  Bringing more international visitors to this area should  generate even more support for Lake Chapala from people around the world. 

WORK OF THE NATURE CAMP

Amigos del Lago volunteers worked in partnership with local officials of the municipalities around the lake to accomplish these objectives.  Some places received the tourist signs, brochures, and markers.  Other places  received only the signs and brochures, while others received only the marker.

1)  Volunteers established a “driving trail” around the lake for tourists.

A.  Eleven viewing sites/stops were created at strategic points around the lake. Well designed metal signs were installed noting the points/places of interest in that town or village.  The viewer is asked to go to the delegation or municipal building on the plaza to obtain more tourist information relevant to that area.  Blue agave plants were installed for attractiveness.

B. Simple tourist brochures were developed for each site, in Spanish and English.  Local officials were given the original document that can easily be reproduced and 200 copies.

C.  A composite tourist brochure showing all the sites on the trail was also developed in Spanish and English.  Local officials were given 100 copies of this document and an “original.”

D.  A wooden rack for the 2 tourist brochures and others from that specific locality were constructed and delivered to each delegation or municipal building.

2)  Ten “mojonares” were constructed and installed around the lake that mark the level of the lake as supported by Amigos del Lago.

3)  Amigos del Lago is advertising the “Driving Trail” on the website.  If and when the various municipalities develop their own websites, the Amigos del Lago site will put links to those individual sites.

4)  The German volunteers developed a written plan to assist local municipalities in up-grading their hiking trails to make them more easily used by visitors.

Work to be Done

1) Distribute 1,000 copies of the composite brochure to hotels in the area and in Guadalajara.

2)  Photograph the sites for possible inclusion in the 2005 Amigos del Lago calendar—advertising for the Driving Trail.

3)  Petition the Tourism Secretaries for Jalisco and Michoacán to install large signs advertising the driving trail on the major roads leading into the lake area. Also, ask them to develop a Tourist Guide for the entire lake basin and to promote it nationally.